Patent Application
20100179723
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a system and method for detecting vehicle system or component misuse and providing a warning of such misuse and, more particularly, to a system and method for detecting vehicle system or component misuse remotely from the vehicle, and notifying the vehicle operator of the misuse.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Vehicle components, sub-systems and systems generally have a certain useful life under normal operation after which their failure rate typically significantly increases. However, certain vehicle operations, conditions, situations, etc. may have a detrimental effect on certain vehicle components, sub-systems and systems by reducing their effective life, possibly causing them to fail much earlier than would otherwise be anticipated. For example, excessive auxiliary power usage may drain the vehicle battery, possible preventing the vehicle from being started and possibly damaging the battery as a result of repeated battery drain. Further, repetitive over-capacity towing may accelerate the wear of chassis systems and components, such as brake pads and tires. Also, excessive payload on the vehicle may wear out the vehicle suspension and other related components. Further, a long time non-use of the parking brake may cause brake component corrosion. Also, continually riding the throttle and the brakes of the vehicle at the same time may wear out certain components associated with those systems.
Many times, the various vehicle conditions and operations that result in excessive or abnormal wear of vehicle components, sub-systems and systems are not known by the vehicle operator or owner as they occur, and which may occur gradually over time. Therefore, the vehicle operator may not realize that a component or sub-system could possibly fail as a result of such use until it is too late. Thus, vehicle service and product perception can be enhanced by notifying a vehicle operator or customer of the misuse of various vehicles, sub-systems and components before they have a detrimental effect on those systems and components.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, information associated with vehicle components and sub-systems is monitored by an on-board module, and associated data, either processed or raw, is telematically transmitted to a remote data center by wireless communications. The remote data center archives the received data in a database for each separate vehicle that is part of the system. The remote data center analyzes the data to ascertain whether the data indicates a usage pattern and/or vehicle condition that may have a detrimental effect on certain vehicle components, sub-systems and systems, such as excessive component wear. For example, the data center may run pattern detection algorithms on the data to identify known usage patterns that may potentially impact normal vehicle operation. If such a usage pattern is detected, the remote data center may issue a warning to the vehicle operator, or other designated person, that such usage may have a detrimental effect on the vehicle or vehicle components.
Additional features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The following discussion of the embodiments of the invention directed to a system and method for detecting abnormal or unhealthy vehicle usage patterns and reporting same to a vehicle customer is merely exemplary in nature, and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its applications or uses.
The system 10 includes a remote data center 18 that telematically receives the information and data transmitted from the vehicle 12. The data center 18 archives the uploaded data in a database 20 for each individual vehicle that may be using or is part of the system 10. The data center 18 includes a back-office module 22 that processes the data received from the vehicle 12, as well as information and data from other vehicles that may be associated with the system 10. The back-office module 22 operates pattern detection algorithms, generally at predetermined intervals, on the received data to identify pre-defined or known usage patterns that may indicate vehicle misuse and potentially impact normal vehicle operation of the vehicle 12.
By identifying certain vehicle activities and operations that may have a detrimental effect on various vehicle components, sub-systems and systems, a vehicle operator, owner or other designated person 26 can be notified of such usage. Such a notification may cause the designated person 26 to change his or her driving habits or vehicle operation habits associated with the vehicle 12 that may reduce wear and tear on the vehicle components, sub-systems and systems. In one embodiment, the designated person 26 is a fleet manager. The data center 18 can contact the designated person 26 in any suitable manner, such as cellular telephone call, e-mail, etc. Further, with the permission of the designated person 26, remote maintenance can be performed, such as recharging the vehicle battery 26 by starting the vehicle 12.
Once the designated person 26 is notified of the adverse usage pattern, then the algorithm can take steps to determine whether the designated person has done anything to correct the problem causing the usage pattern. If the designated person 26 does not take appropriate action, then the algorithm can document the process, possibly invalidating warranties.
The pre-defined usage patterns can be any desirable usage pattern that can be identified based on the information and data that is available. For example, high battery current measured at a power accessory socket during engine off times may indicate an abnormal power drain, such as a laptop connection. This usage may run down the battery and cause a no-start condition. This usage can be detected by periodically uploading battery current measurements. The designated person 26 can be warned to stop such usage with the understanding that it may lead to a no-start condition. With appropriate authorization, the data center 18 may remotely start the vehicle 12 to charge the battery before the battery is fully drained. In another example, constant over-capacity towing can accelerate the wear out of chassis systems and components, such as brake pads and tires. By uploading estimates of load, road grade, etc., this excessive usage can be detected and the designated person 26 can be informed of such existing inappropriate usage. Other examples of improper usage may be a long-time no use of a parking brake, which may cause corrosion, and continuously simultaneously riding on the throttle and brake.
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
